A Chinese soldier, who had transgressed across the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh near Pangong Lake, was handed back to China at Chushul-Moldo at 10.10 AM on Monday morning after spending 72 hours in Indian custody.
The PLA soldier was taken in custody by Indian troops after he transgressed across the LAC, south of Pangong Lake in Ladakh, on January 8. Sources said there was no foul play found after he was interrogated at length. “During early hours of 8 January 21, a Chinese soldier was apprehended on the Indian side of the LAC, in Ladakh, in area South of Pangong Tso lake. The PLA soldier had transgressed across the LAC and was taken into custody by Indian troops deployed in this area,” an Indian Army statement had said earlier. This is an area which has been a friction point in the standoff that continues since May last year. The PLA soldier was dealt with as per laid down procedures and circumstances under which he had crossed the LAC are being investigated, the Indian Army said.
“Troops from either side are deployed along the LAC since friction erupted last year due to unprecedented mobilisation and forward concentration by Chinese troops.” There have been eight rounds of military talks at the Corps Commander level to find a solution to the standoff that started early May but the deadlock continues.
